Musings on the byways of popular culture
by 117 Comments
The next vinly afternoon in the cafe has the theme of mid-80s movement ‘The Big Music’, because I had audience requests for both Simple Minds and The U2. And, tbh, because I had to write something for the parish mag with an hour to print deadline, and my mind was totally blank.
Scotland: ver Minds, the Waterboys, etc. Wales: The Alarm Ireland: U2 England: errm?
I ask the AW Hive Mind, which English act grew mullets, waved flags, frequented castles, and generally acted like knobs?
by 9 Comments
“The Last Dance – Scottish rock band R*nr*g’s 2018 poignant farewell concert.”
Not sure what all the fuss is about? I suspect after 183 minutes you will have formed an opinion.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000ty27/runrig-the-last-dance
by 23 Comments
UK vinyl sales rise again (by 13.5%) to 6.7 Million, and CD sales level off (down by just 2.9%) to 10.5 Million.
Ladies dominate the album charts.
No home-grown talent in the UK Top 10 singles. Whatever a single is, nowadays.
I’m suprised vinyl sales continue to grow that much, given how prices have risen. I’ve certainly bought fewer new full-price releases. Thirty five quid for a single album? Are you ‘aving a giraffe?
by 172 Comments
by 1 Comment
“A 2019 performance by the band in the ruins of the cathedral, including Ghost Town, Too Much Too Young, Rat Race, Gangsters, Do Nothing and A Message to You Rudy”
According to Sir Horace Gentleman on a recent podcast, there will be more than one live album from the gigs at Coventry Cathedral coming in the new year.
https://www.mytelly.co.uk/tv-guide/listings/channel/602/sky-arts.html?dt=2024-12-20
by 55 Comments
This might be worth a watch. Overseas AWers PM me for ‘help’.
“The inspirational story of how a group of working class kids growing up in post-industrial Glasgow dared to dream. Those kids became Simple Minds, the most iconic and influential Scottish band in history.
Hidden hand events – including the punk explosion, the emergence of MTV and the impact of Live Aid – appeared out of nowhere to propel Simple Minds, not only into its existence and on to global success, but also to reboot the band.
At the very heart of Simple Minds dwells the ongoing friendship between Jim Kerr and his songwriting partner Charlie Burchill. The pair met in the shadow of a brand new Glasgow council tower block in 1967 and subsequently forged a relationship that changed both their lives in a way that neither of them could ever have imagined.
Everything Is Possible is a music-inspired human interest story imbued with social history, politics and activism. It features previously unseen family and band archive along with iconic footage from Live Aid and the Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute, and is set to Simple Minds’ cinematic songbook of hits and rarities, including I Travel, » Continue Reading.
by 2 Comments
Well, this is a surprise… ACR recycle the chords from their 1989 nearly hit The Big E as a festive tune dedicated to support workers.
“Dedicated to workers at the NHS, homeless charities, mental health crisis centres, care homes and all the people who give up their time to help the sick and homeless in our towns and cities.
Consider donating or helping in other ways: https://mhp.org.uk/how-to-help/ Direct link to donate: https://mustardtree.org.uk/donate/donate-money/
Film by Marta Ruly/NEOMR Media
Now and Laughter is taken from A Certain Ratio’s new EP Christmasville UK. The EP Includes remixes from the bands last album: It All Comes Down To This”
by 4 Comments
Another tape from Timmy Mallett’s loft, digitised and heard for the first time in 40+ years.
https://audioboom.com/posts/8620090-paul-weller-piccadilly-radio-birthday-special-1984
by 4 Comments
19/07/2025
My Christmas has come early with the announcement of a reunion show by Fareham’s finest septet.
Their two proper albums have made it to Spotify, final odds-and-sods round-up, Tremendous Magic: Lost Songs 2008-2012, is still on Bandcamp.
Tickets are only a tenner. See you down the front.
by 20 Comments
Potential flat occupants: don’t want to hear noise in the evening? Then don’t buy a flat next door to a live music venue!
by 8 Comments
23/11/2024
My monthly vinyl playback sessions in the village cafe were paused in early 2020 by the great unpleasantness. The cafe is pretty small and is a lot busier since then, and I’m immunosuppressed so not keen on enclosed spaces packed with people and their germs.
One of the old hospital buildings has been renovated as a not-for-profit community resource with office space, meeting rooms, a yoga/dance studio, a microbrewery, pizzeria, cafe/bar and stage.
It is “soft-opening” tomorrow and Saturday, with the full opening in January.
I’m going to be playing records on a Rega Planar 3 from about 3pm until a DJ takes over at 6pm. We were supposed to be having live music in the evening, but the drummer double-booked himself. Insert your own joke about drummers and time-keeping here.
Anyhow, Saturday’s theme will be… Compilation Albums.
I will buy a cuppa for any AWers who turn up and introduces themselves.
I’m a sucker for a BFI Blu-ray/DVD double-disc set.
Between HMV and the Dodgers, most of them are currently 8 quid or thereabouts.
Dance Craze (the Two Tone tour film), up there with Stop Making Sense if you ask me, is £9.95
by 12 Comments
Obituary
The Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes hit maker, Bradley Hardacre in Brass, Geoffrey in Not Going Out, canal enthusiast, Mr Prunella Scales, and star of some other high-brow stuff.
by 9 Comments
Fresh from Jake Shears’ last solo album hitting #197 in the Belgian charts, the Scissor Sisters are back with a 10-date tour of the UK, to celebrate 20 years of their debut album (available on 20p CD in any charity shop).
Featuring Jake and, um, the other two, but not Ana Matronic, nor the drummer, nor the Goodies-adjacent touring multi-instrumentalist fella.
by 184 Comments
First album denied a release. Dropped by label. Second album wins Brit Award. Third album lost (in stolen car).
by 4 Comments
The Smiths at the Derby Assembly Rooms, introduced by a familiar-looking fella in white jeans and a black leather jacket. Well, it was 1983.
Next week is AWB in Miami, 1975.
by 6 Comments
This 2015 Sound On Sound magazine article popped up on my socials. What better way to spend a Sunday morning?
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-cowboy-junkies-sweet-jane
by 7 Comments
The National Motorhome and Caravan Show 2024 is on at the NEC.
Mrs F and I are attending tomorrow. If any AWers in attendance would like a mini-mingle over an outrageously-priced cuppa, PM me.
by 45 Comments
Everybody’s favourite Guangzhou city based purveyors of hi-res digital audio hardware have invented the portable stereo cassette player.
Yours for £99.
by 61 Comments
29/11/2024
Four young fellas from Liverpool and their popular beat combo. You might have heard of them.
“Today, Disney+ announced that Beatles ’64, an all-new documentary from producer Martin Scorsese and director David Tedeschi, will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning November 29, 2024. The film captures the electrifying moment of The Beatles’ first visit to America. Featuring never-before-seen footage of the band and the legions of young fans who helped fuel their ascendance, the film gives a rare glimpse into when The Beatles became the most influential and beloved band of all time.
On February 7, 1964, The Beatles arrived in New York City to unprecedented excitement and hysteria. From the instant they landed at Kennedy Airport, met by thousands of fans, Beatlemania swept New York and the entire country. Their thrilling debut performance on The Ed Sullivan Show captivated more than 73 million viewers, the most watched television event of its time. Beatles ’64 presents the spectacle, but also tells a more intimate behind the scenes story, capturing the camaraderie of John, Paul, George, and Ringo as they experienced unimaginable fame.
The film includes rare footage filmed by pioneering documentarians Albert and David Maysles, beautifully restored in 4K » Continue Reading.
by 1 Comment
I’ve Been Trying To Tell You DVD/BD is half-price (with voucher) at the Dodgers.
I’ve been through all of the BFI music sets and I think that’s it for now.
Content details below.
https://shop.bfi.org.uk/saint-etienne-ive-been-trying-to-tell-you.html
by 5 Comments
The magnificent BFI transfer of I Am Weekender DVD/BD is half-price at the Dodgers. Add to basket and tick the Apply Voucher box.
Full contents listed at BFI shop below.
by 7 Comments
The BFI 23 Seconds to Eternity DVD/BD is currently half-price at the Dodgers.
Features The White Room, The Rites of Mu, Krash, the Stadium House trilogy, all made with tongue firmly in cheek. Contents listed at BFI site below.
https://shop.bfi.org.uk/23-seconds-to-eternity-dual-format-edition.html
by 23 Comments
“Hamlet merges with Radiohead for new stage show”
My least fave Radiohead album gets a mashup with Billy S.
Spoiler alert! Everybody dies.
by 14 Comments
For we are not worthy.
I was worried I might have to do some work tomorrow.
